Expecting women to look pretty all the time is quite a sexist thing, feels Huma Qureshi

She has always been smooth, but Huma Qureshi took her witty side to the next level when she shared a picture of herself juxtaposed with a picture of Hollywood star Kate Winslet — her take on the #10yearchallenge. It immediately took the internet by storm, and the actor’s fans just couldn’t get over it.

“I was just having some fun,” says Huma. “I’ve been a huge fan of Kate Winslet, and have watched all her films. She is such a solid actor and I look up to her. So it was a fun thing that I wanted to do,” she shares.

She is happy with all the “wonderful, sweet and hilarious things” her fans said, but Huma also had to face her share of trolling. How does she react to the negativity on social media? “My mother always said, ‘Your problems and thoughts are yours and other people’s problems and thoughts are theirs. Aapne kisi ke thoughts ko badalne ka theka nahin le rakha’. So, one should know what they want to do with their life. You must be happy in every moment — it might touch other people’s hearts and make them smile,” she says.

Sorted in the head, the 32-year-old insists that she’s “not a slave to social media” and only posts something when she feels like doing it. “I can’t think about how people are going to perceive it. It’s my way of reaching out to my fans without any filter. It’s my true expression and I can’t cultivate things,” says the Jolly LLB 2 (2017), Dedh Ishqiya (2014) and Gangs of Wasseypur (2012) actor.

Even as many continue to project superficiality on social media, Huma believes in staying true to herself. “Whether I’m putting up a picture of an egg or doing something funny, I don’t care if I’m wearing makeup or not. I’m very happy with how I look. I never had any problem in getting work or male attention,” says Huma, adding that is sexist how only women are expected to pander to the gaze.

The actor — who has earlier spoken out against prevalent misconceptions pertaining to fitness and dieting — adds, “All this is expected from girls only — wear makeup and look beautiful. My guy friends don’t always have to do their hair and makeup. I’m often told to make my airport looks stylish, and I’m like ‘airport par kaun heels pehenta hai’?”